• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2014

We report the nitrogen monoxide (NO) gas sensing properties of p-type CuO-nanorod-based gas sensors. We synthesized the p-type CuO nanorods with breadth of about 30 nm and length of about 330 nm by a hydrothermal method using an as-deposited CuO seed layer prepared on a $Si/SiO_2$ substrate by the sputtering method. We fabricated polycrystalline CuO nanorod arrays at $80^{\circ}C$ under the hydrothermal condition of 1:1 morality ratio between copper nitrate trihydrate [$Cu(NO_2)_2{\cdot}3H_2O$] and hexamethylenetetramine ($C_6H_{12}N_4$). Structural characterizations revealed that we prepared the pure CuO nanorod array of a monoclinic crystalline structure without any obvious formation of secondary phase. It was found from the gas sensing measurements that the p-type CuO nanorod gas sensors exhibited a maximum sensitivity to NO gas in dry air at an operating temperature as low as $200^{\circ}C$. We also found that these CuO nanorod gas sensors showed reversible and reliable electrical response to NO gas at a range of operating temperatures. These results would indicate some potential applications of the p-type semiconductor CuO nanorods as promising sensing materials for gas sensors, including various types of p-n junction gas sensors.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2018

We report on the fabrication and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of a ZnO nanorod array structure as an efficient photoelectrode for hydrogen production from sunlight-driven water splitting. Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods were grown on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method with the use of a ZnO nanoparticle seed layer, which was formed by thermally oxidizing a sputtered Zn metal thin film. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized ZnO nanorods were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, as well as Raman scattering. The PEC properties of the fabricated ZnO nanorod photoelectrode were evaluated by photocurrent conversion efficiency measurements under white light illumination. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior, the vertically aligned ZnO nanorod photoelectrode was found to exhibit a negligible dark current and high photocurrent density, e.g., $0.65mA/cm^2$ at 0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl in a 1 mM $Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte. In particular, a significant PEC performance was observed even at an applied bias of 0 V vs Ag/AgCl, which made the device self-powered.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2018

We report on the efficient detection of NO gas by an all-oxide semiconductor p-n heterojunction diode structure comprised of n-type zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods embedded in p-type copper oxide (CuO) thin film. The CuO thin film/ZnO nanorod heterostructure was fabricated by directly sputtering CuO thin film onto a vertically aligned ZnO nanorod array synthesized via a hydrothemal method. The transport behavior and NO gas sensing properties of the fabricated CuO thin film/ZnO nanorod heterostructure were charcterized and revealed that the oxide semiconductor heterojunction exhibited a definite rectifying diode-like behavior at various temperatures ranging from room temperature to $250^{\circ}C$. The NO gas sensing experiment indicated that the CuO thin film/ZnO nanorod heterostructure had a good sensing performance for the efficient detection of NO gas in the range of 2-14 ppm under the conditions of an applied bias of 2 V and a comparatively low operating temperature of $150^{\circ}C$. The NO gas sensing process in the CuO/ZnO p-n heterostructure is discussed in terms of the electronic band structure.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.407-411
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• 2020

In this study, we propose an array-type gas sensor with high selectivity and response using multiple oxide semiconductors. The sensor array was composed of SnO₂ and In₂O₃, and the detection characteristics were improved by using Pt, Au, and Pd catalysts. All samples were deposited directly on the Pt interdigitated electrode (IDE) through the e-beam evaporator glancing angle deposition (GAD) method. They grew in the form of well-aligned nanorods at off-axis angles. The prepared SnO₂ and In₂O₃ nanorod samples were exposed to CH₃COCH₃, C₇H₈, and NO₂ gases in a 300℃ dry condition. Au-decorated SnO₂, Au-decorated In₂O₃, and Pd-decorated In₂O₃ exhibited high selectivity for CH₃COCH₃, C₇H₈, and NO₂, respectively. They demonstrated a high detection limit of the sub ppb level computationally. In addition, measurements from each sensor were executed in the 40% relative humidity condition. Although there was a slight reduction in detection response, high selectivity and distinguishable detection characteristics were confirmed.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.7.1-7.1
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• 2011

Nanoporous templates have been widely used for the development of new functional nanostructured materials suitable for electronics, optics, magnetism, and energy storage materials. We have prepared nanoporous templates by using thin films of mixtures of polystyrene-block-poly (methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) and PMMA homopolymers. These templates have cylindrical nanoholes spanning the entire thickness of the film. Some applications of nanoporous templates are introduced: a) anti-reflective coating, b) the preparation of conducting polymer nanowires of poly (pyrrole), poly (3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiopene) onto a glass coated with indium-tin-oxide, and c) the separation membranes for biomaterials. We found that when the pore fraction of nanoholes in the film was ~0.68, almost zero reflectance at a specific wavelength, which can be changed with film thickness, was achieved at visible wavelengths Furthermore, ultra high density array of conducting nanowires was successfully prepared onto various substrates including flexible polymer. Due to highly alignment of polymer chain along the nanowire direction, the conductivity was much increased. Furthermore, these nanoporous films were found to be very effective for the separation of human Rhinovirus type 14 (HRV 14), major pathogen of a common cold in humans, from the buffer solution. We also found that when the pore size was effectively controlled down to 6 nm, a single file diffusion was observed.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.472-476
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• 2016

The nano-array of the vertically aligned rod-like particles grown on ZnO coated glass-substrates was obtained via hydrothermal process. ZnO thin film coatings were prepared on the glass substrates using a MOD (metallorganic deposition) dip-coating method with zinc chloride dihydrate as starting material and 2-ethylhexanol as solvent. ZnO nanorods were synthesized on the seeded substrates by hydrothermal method at $80^{\circ}C$ using zinc-nitrate hexahydrate as a Zn source and sodium hydroxide as a mineralizer. Under the hydrothermal condition, the rod-like nanocrystals were easily attaching on the already ZnO seeded (coated) glass surface. It has been shown that the hydrothermal synthesis parameters are key factors in the nucleation and growth of ZnO crystallites. By controlling of hydrothermal parameters, the ZnO particulate morphology could be easily tailored. Rod-shaped ZnO arrays on the glass substrates consisted of elongated crystals having 6-fold symmetry were predominantly developed at high Zn precursor concentration in the pH range 7~11.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.658-663
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• 2017

Urchin-structured zinc oxide(ZnO) nanorod(NR) gas sensors were successfully demonstrated on a polyimide(PI) substrate, using single wall carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs) as the electrode. The ZnO NRs were grown with ZnO shells arranged at regular intervals to form a network structure with maximized surface area. The high surface area and numerous junctions of the NR network structure was the key to excellent gas sensing performance. Moreover, the SWCNTs formed a junction barrier with the ZnO which further improved sensor characteristics. The fabricated urchin-structured ZnO NR gas sensors exhibited superior performance upon $NO_2$ exposure with a stable response of 110, fast rise and decay times of 38 and 24 sec, respectively. Comparative analyses revealed that the high performance of the sensors was due to a combination of high surface area, numerous active junction points, and the use of the SWCNTs electrode. Furthermore, the urchin-structured ZnO NR gas sensors showed sustainable mechanical stability. Although degradation of the devices progressed during repeated flexibility tests, the sensors were still operational even after 10000 cycles of a bending test with a radius of curvature of 5 mm.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.604-610
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• 2016

We report on the fabrication and characterization of a novel $Cu_2O/CuO$ heterojunction structure with CuO nanorods embedded in $Cu_2O$ thin film as an efficient photocathode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar water splitting. A CuO nanorod array was first prepared on an indium-tin-oxide-coated glass substrate via a seed-mediated hydrothermal synthesis method; then, a $Cu_2O$ thin film was electrodeposited onto the CuO nanorod array to form an oxide semiconductor heterostructure. The crystalline phases and morphologies of the heterojunction materials were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, as well as Raman scattering. The PEC properties of the fabricated $Cu_2O/CuO$ heterojunction photocathode were evaluated by photocurrent conversion efficiency measurements under white light illumination. From the observed PEC current density versus voltage (J-V) behavior, the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode was found to exhibit negligible dark current and high photocurrent density, e.g. $-1.05mA/cm^2$ at -0.6 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$ in $1mM\;Na_2SO_4$ electrolyte, revealing the effective operation of the oxide heterostructure. The photocurrent conversion efficiency of the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode was estimated to be 1.27% at -0.6 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$. Moreover, the PEC current density versus time (J-T) profile measured at -0.5 V vs. $Hg/HgCl_2$ on the $Cu_2O/CuO$ photocathode indicated a 3-fold increase in the photocurrent density compared to that of a simple $Cu_2O$ thin film photocathode. The improved PEC performance was attributed to a certain synergistic effect of the bilayer heterostructure on the light absorption and electron-hole recombination processes.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.111-114
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• 2011

As a growth-template of ZnO nanorods (NR), a hexagonal $\beta-Ni(OH)_2$ nanosheet (NS) was synthesized with the low temperature hydrothermal process and its microstructure was investigated using a high resolution scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Zinc nitrate hexahydrate was hydrolyzed by hexamethylenetetramine with the same mole ratio and various temperatures, growth times and total concentrations. The optimum hydrothermal processing condition for the best crystallinity of hexagonal $\beta-Ni(OH)_2$ NS was determined to be with 3.5 mM at $95^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. The prepared $Ni(OH)_2$ NSs were two dimensionally arrayed on a substrate using an air-water interface tapping method, and the quality of the array was evaluated using an X-ray diffractometer. Because of the similarity of the lattice parameter of the (0001) plane between ZnO (wurzite a = 0.325 nm, c = 0.521 nm) and hexagonal $\beta-Ni(OH)_2$ (brucite a = 0.313 nm, c = 0.461 nm) on the synthesized hexagonal $\beta-Ni(OH)_2$ NS, ZnO NRs were successfully grown without seeds. At 35 mM of divalent Zn ion, the entire hexagonal $\beta-Ni(OH)_2$ NSs were covered with ZnO NRs, and this result implies the possibility that ZnO NR can be grown epitaxially on hexagonal $\beta-Ni(OH)_2$ NS by a soluble process. After the thermal annealing process, $\beta-Ni(OH)_2$ changed into NiO, which has the property of a p-type semiconductor, and then ZnO and NiO formed a p-n junction for a large area light emitting diode.